Lorenzo Simpson

Lorenzo “Truck” Simpson, born March 15, 2000, in Baltimore, Maryland, is an American super-middleweight boxer. He began boxing at the age of seven, seeking an outlet for the anger he felt after his father's death. Training at the Upton Boxing Center under coaches Calvin Ford and Kenny Ellis, he channeled his early adversity into discipline and focus. Simpson attended City Springs Elementary School (class of 2014) and Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High School (class of 2018), where boxing provided him with structure and purpose.

As an amateur, Simpson compiled an impressive record of 182 wins and 3 losses. He earned six National Silver Gloves titles, back-to-back Youth National Championships in 2016 and 2017, and titles as Youth Open Champion, along with a gold medal at the 2016 National Junior Olympics, where he was also awarded “Most Outstanding Male Boxer.” Additionally, he took silver at the 2016 Youth Open and the 2018 Youth Continental Championships and qualified for the 2018 Youth World Championships with a record of 102 wins and 1 loss, claiming seven National Silver Gloves titles, multiple Junior Olympics medals, and a team spot with USA Boxing by 2020.

Simpson turned professional on December 8, 2018, debuting with a victory over Deandre West. He remained undefeated until June 2024, achieving notable victories including a first-round stoppage of Alex Sandro Duarte in July 2020 and a win over Vladimir Hernandez in August 2023. He signed with MTK Global in August 2024. However, in 2024, he faced setbacks, suffering a controversial split-decision loss to Vladimir Hernandez in Atlanta, followed by another split-decision defeat to Raiko Santana in an overtime round under new rules.

Outside of the ring, Simpson is committed to giving back to his school and community. He established the Joshua Carroll Foundation in memory of his uncle, providing resources and mentorship to youth affected by gun violence in Baltimore. He also maintains strong ties to City Springs, where his former principal is a close mentor who frequently attends his fights.

“Truck” Simpson’s footwork is precise—he avoids unnecessary gliding or bouncing. Instead, he employs traditional southpaw positioning with modern balance control, ensuring he is always in a punching stance. He cuts angles not to escape but to enter the range, using techniques like a half-pivot or a quick drop step to reset.

His signature combination starts with a stiff southpaw jab, which is immediately followed by a straight left and a left hook to the head. He doesn’t throw these for speed but to break his opponent’s rhythm. Once he has the opponent in a defensive shell, he follows up with a short right hook to the body or a left uppercut to the solar plexus, forcing them to reset. His combination sequences are not random; they are mechanical and learned through high-repetition pad work. He layers his combinations like a blueprint, often utilizing the same setup multiple times within a round with slight timing adjustments.

Simpson employs head movement to slip and roll inside, relying more on positioning than reflexes. He keeps his hands high and tight, always focused on his target. He doesn’t overextend on offense, which helps him maintain balance.

Simpson's motor is both physical and mental. Even when he throws fewer punches, he stays engaged, consistently moving his feet and torso. In close quarters, he doesn’t waste shots; he positions himself on the inside, and then strikes in short bursts. While he is not a high-volume puncher, he is highly accurate. His punches particularly body shots, which are often timed between an opponent’s breaths or pivots.